A good turnout of voters in mountainous districts of Pauri, Chamoli and Rudraprayag reflected the enthusiasm of the people for festival of democracy. In Pauri district which houses six Assembly constituencies more people turned out to vote this time than past elections. The district authorities are putting the vote percentage in district at 60 per cent which is higher than 58.52 percent of the election of 2012.
There are 57 candidates in fray from six assembly constituencies of Pauri. “The elections in all six constituencies of the district were held peacefully and there is no information of any untoward incident,’’ said Chief Development Officer and nodal officer of the election Vijay Jogdande.
In Pauri reserved (SC) constituency 51.45 percent people turned out to vote. Here Nawal Kishore of Congress is locked in a straight battle with Mukesh Koli of BJP. In neighbouring Srinagar constituency 56.73 percent voting was reported. The sitting MlA Ganesh Godiyal of Congress, Dr Dhan Singh Rawat of BJP and independent Mohan Prasad Kala are engaged in triangular contest here. The high profile Chaubattakhal assembly constituency where religious guru and senior leader Satpal Maharaj is in fray recorded 47.08 percent of voting by end of the day. Here, young Congress leader Rajpal Singh Bisht is giving a tough fight to Maharaj. In lansdowne assembly constituency 47.01 percent of electorate came out to vote. From this constituency sitting MlA Dalip Singh Rawat of BJP is facing the challenge of congress candidate lieutenant General T P S Rawat (Rtd). In another constituency which is drawing attention due to high voltage battle between Harak Singh Rawat of BJP and Surendra Singh Negi of Congress, 67.93 percent voters exercised their franchise. In Yamkeshwar 53.35 percent voters came out to vote. Here a keen three cornered contest between Ritu Khanduri Bhushan (daughter of Major General B C Khanduri) of BJP, Shailendra Singh Rawat of Congress and independent Renu Bisht is being witnessed.
In Tharali reserved constituency of Chamoli district 57.99 percent voting was reported. Here sitting MlA Jeet Ram of Congress is challenged by Magan lal Shah of BJP. In Badrinath assembly segment 62 percent voters participated in festival of democracy. Cabinet Minister Rajendra Bhandari of Congress is facing challenge of Mahendra Bhatt from this constituency. In Rudraprayag district 63 percent voters’ exercised their franchise. In Rudraprayag assembly segment laxmi Rana of Congress and Bharat Chaudhary of BJP are battling it out. In Kedarnath assembly too a good turn out of voters was reported. Here Shaila Rani Rawat of BJP, Manoj Rawat of Congress and independent Asha Nautiyal are in fray.